Saturday, October 13
Akron, OH
7:00 p.m.
West Virginia University
9-5-0, 2-0-0MAC
2
at
1
Akron
5-5-2, 0-1-1MAC
1
2
OT 2
F
West Virginia
0
1
1
2
Akron
0
1
0
1
Photo by: Alex King
Piatczyc Scores Twice as WVU Wins OT Thriller
October 13, 2018 11:05 PM | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – Senior midfielder Joey Piatczyc tied the match with 13 seconds left in regulation and scored the game-winner three minutes into overtime to propel the West Virginia University men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory at Akron on Saturday night.
The Mountaineers (9-5-0, 2-0-0 Mid-American Conference) trailed 1-0 12 minutes into the second half, but responded with an offensive attack that resulted in the game-tying goal at 89:47, and the game-winner at 92:27. Following their goal, the Zips (5-5-2, 0-1-1 MAC) were held to just one shot the rest of the match, while West Virginia had 10.
"We had to fight from behind tonight, we didn't want to have to play from behind, but I thought our soccer was excellent today, and our goals were just reward for the way we played," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "We played about as well as we've played all season, to be quite honest with you. We moved the ball well and created great opportunities. Their goalkeeper made a couple of big saves, and the same on our side. We just kept plugging away, kept staying with it, and it eventually paid off. Two fantastic setups from Jorge Quintanilla as well."
With the win, WVU sits atop the MAC standings, with six points, following two weekends of play. The Mountaineers return home to host second-place and No. 23-ranked SIU Edwardsville on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. ET.
Piatczyc recorded his first career two-goal match, and has a team-high-tying four goals this season to go along with a squad-best 12 points. His two points on the game-winning goal gives him 17 game-winning points in his career, eighth-most in a single season in program history.
"I talked to Joey this week about needing to get back into form," LeBlanc added. "The layoff hurt him a little bit, and (he needed to) try and get some games back under his legs. Tonight, you saw him really start to shine through again. He was the best player on the pitch tonight, and we had quite a few good players on the day today. He did what he's supposed to do, he scored two goals. I'm happy for Joey, but I'm looking forward to the next game where he can hopefully get a couple more."
Piatczyc's game-tying goal came at 89:47. The play began with junior midfielder Logan Lucas, who sent the ball up to senior midfielder Jorge Quintanilla near the top of the penalty arc. Quintanilla quickly flicked it up to Piatczyc, who was running into the box. Near the corner of the six, Piatczyc beat a defender and scored into the far corner of the net, past the keeper.
The game-winning goal came at 92:27. Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Tekesky sent a long ball up to Quintanilla, who, just passed midfield, flicked it to Piatczyc. He then dribbled across the top of the box and scored into the bottom right corner of the net.
Quintanilla's and Lucas' assists were their first of the year, while Tekesky's was his second.
In goal, Tekesky made three saves, all in the first half. Akron's Ben Lundt stopped five shots, all in the second half.
The Mountaineers out-shot the Zips, 15-9, and had eight shots on goal to Akron's four. WVU held a 10-3 advantage in shots in the second half, and did not allow a shot on goal following Akron's lone goal in the 57th minute.
Marcel Zajac scored for Akron at 56:22. Skye Harter and Ezana Kahsay earned assists.
Piatczyc, Lucas and sophomore defender Kevin Morris all had three shots, while Piatczyc led the team with three shots on goal.
The first good opportunity for either team came in the 15th minute on a cross into the box by Akron, but Tekesky made a nice diving stop 10 yards out to prevent a chance on net by the home side.
Five minutes later, the Mountaineers had a great opportunity of their own, which began with a corner kick by sophomore forward Tsubasa Takada. The corner kick into the box was headed on net by Morris, but a save was made. On the rebound, Lucas sent a shot wide from inside the six near the front post.
Tekesky made a pair of fantastic saves in the 33rd minute, and followed it up with another in the 36th. His first save came on a long ball into the box that he stopped with a diving attempt. On the rebound from near the edge of the six, he dove towards the post for another save. Three minutes later, he stopped a long ball into the box.
In the final five minutes of the first half, West Virginia had a free kick opportunity from outside the corner of the 18. On the ball in by Piatczyc, Lucas' opportunity went wide. The half closed with another save by Tekesky and a shot wide by Akron off a corner kick as time expired.
The Mountaineers had four shots, one on goal, while Akron had six shots, three on goal. UA had six corner kicks to WVU's one.
The Mountaineers first chance in the second half came off a corner kick by Piatczyc. However, his ball into the box was headed high by freshman midfielder Josh DiMatteo.
Eight minutes after Akron's goal, Piatczyc countered with a shot that was saved, in the 65th minute.
West Virginia had a great chance to tie the match in the 72nd minute, as junior midfielder Andres Muriel Albino sent a long strike in that was just tipped over the crossbar and out by a leaping Lundt. The shot came after Quintanilla sent a shot in that was blocked, on a ball in from junior midfielder Sebastian Garcia-Herreros.
WVU continued to apply pressure and had a trio of great opportunities in the 78th minute. Junior defender Ryan Kellogg's shot was cleared off the line, and the rebound went to junior defender Albert Andres-Llop, but his shot was saved. On the ensuing rebound, Lucas sent a final shot high and over the net.
The Mountaineers' offensive attack paid off at 89:47, with Piatczyc's game-tying goal, and again at 92:27, with his game-winner.
WVU begins its final homestand of the season against No. 23 SIU Edwardsville on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. ET, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Tickets are available at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800 WVU GAME. It is Military and First Responders Night, where military or first responders can show their ID and receive free admission. A Touch-A-Truck event will take place outside of DDSS, with various first responders vehicles on site. Additionally, it is Kids Club Day, with activities including balloon animals and face painting.
WVU soccer scarf ticket packages and single match tickets are on sale now at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800 WVU GAME. The scarf ticket package includes a scarf and 10 tickets to be used at any men's or women's soccer match during the 2018 regular season. Packages are just $30 and are available while supplies last. Single match tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more when purchased in advance at WVUGAME.com. At the Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until kickoff of the match. Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Mountaineers (9-5-0, 2-0-0 Mid-American Conference) trailed 1-0 12 minutes into the second half, but responded with an offensive attack that resulted in the game-tying goal at 89:47, and the game-winner at 92:27. Following their goal, the Zips (5-5-2, 0-1-1 MAC) were held to just one shot the rest of the match, while West Virginia had 10.
"We had to fight from behind tonight, we didn't want to have to play from behind, but I thought our soccer was excellent today, and our goals were just reward for the way we played," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "We played about as well as we've played all season, to be quite honest with you. We moved the ball well and created great opportunities. Their goalkeeper made a couple of big saves, and the same on our side. We just kept plugging away, kept staying with it, and it eventually paid off. Two fantastic setups from Jorge Quintanilla as well."
With the win, WVU sits atop the MAC standings, with six points, following two weekends of play. The Mountaineers return home to host second-place and No. 23-ranked SIU Edwardsville on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. ET.
Piatczyc recorded his first career two-goal match, and has a team-high-tying four goals this season to go along with a squad-best 12 points. His two points on the game-winning goal gives him 17 game-winning points in his career, eighth-most in a single season in program history.
"I talked to Joey this week about needing to get back into form," LeBlanc added. "The layoff hurt him a little bit, and (he needed to) try and get some games back under his legs. Tonight, you saw him really start to shine through again. He was the best player on the pitch tonight, and we had quite a few good players on the day today. He did what he's supposed to do, he scored two goals. I'm happy for Joey, but I'm looking forward to the next game where he can hopefully get a couple more."
Piatczyc's game-tying goal came at 89:47. The play began with junior midfielder Logan Lucas, who sent the ball up to senior midfielder Jorge Quintanilla near the top of the penalty arc. Quintanilla quickly flicked it up to Piatczyc, who was running into the box. Near the corner of the six, Piatczyc beat a defender and scored into the far corner of the net, past the keeper.
The game-winning goal came at 92:27. Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Tekesky sent a long ball up to Quintanilla, who, just passed midfield, flicked it to Piatczyc. He then dribbled across the top of the box and scored into the bottom right corner of the net.
Quintanilla's and Lucas' assists were their first of the year, while Tekesky's was his second.
In goal, Tekesky made three saves, all in the first half. Akron's Ben Lundt stopped five shots, all in the second half.
The Mountaineers out-shot the Zips, 15-9, and had eight shots on goal to Akron's four. WVU held a 10-3 advantage in shots in the second half, and did not allow a shot on goal following Akron's lone goal in the 57th minute.
Marcel Zajac scored for Akron at 56:22. Skye Harter and Ezana Kahsay earned assists.
Piatczyc, Lucas and sophomore defender Kevin Morris all had three shots, while Piatczyc led the team with three shots on goal.
The first good opportunity for either team came in the 15th minute on a cross into the box by Akron, but Tekesky made a nice diving stop 10 yards out to prevent a chance on net by the home side.
Five minutes later, the Mountaineers had a great opportunity of their own, which began with a corner kick by sophomore forward Tsubasa Takada. The corner kick into the box was headed on net by Morris, but a save was made. On the rebound, Lucas sent a shot wide from inside the six near the front post.
Tekesky made a pair of fantastic saves in the 33rd minute, and followed it up with another in the 36th. His first save came on a long ball into the box that he stopped with a diving attempt. On the rebound from near the edge of the six, he dove towards the post for another save. Three minutes later, he stopped a long ball into the box.
In the final five minutes of the first half, West Virginia had a free kick opportunity from outside the corner of the 18. On the ball in by Piatczyc, Lucas' opportunity went wide. The half closed with another save by Tekesky and a shot wide by Akron off a corner kick as time expired.
The Mountaineers had four shots, one on goal, while Akron had six shots, three on goal. UA had six corner kicks to WVU's one.
The Mountaineers first chance in the second half came off a corner kick by Piatczyc. However, his ball into the box was headed high by freshman midfielder Josh DiMatteo.
Eight minutes after Akron's goal, Piatczyc countered with a shot that was saved, in the 65th minute.
West Virginia had a great chance to tie the match in the 72nd minute, as junior midfielder Andres Muriel Albino sent a long strike in that was just tipped over the crossbar and out by a leaping Lundt. The shot came after Quintanilla sent a shot in that was blocked, on a ball in from junior midfielder Sebastian Garcia-Herreros.
WVU continued to apply pressure and had a trio of great opportunities in the 78th minute. Junior defender Ryan Kellogg's shot was cleared off the line, and the rebound went to junior defender Albert Andres-Llop, but his shot was saved. On the ensuing rebound, Lucas sent a final shot high and over the net.
The Mountaineers' offensive attack paid off at 89:47, with Piatczyc's game-tying goal, and again at 92:27, with his game-winner.
WVU begins its final homestand of the season against No. 23 SIU Edwardsville on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. ET, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Tickets are available at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800 WVU GAME. It is Military and First Responders Night, where military or first responders can show their ID and receive free admission. A Touch-A-Truck event will take place outside of DDSS, with various first responders vehicles on site. Additionally, it is Kids Club Day, with activities including balloon animals and face painting.
WVU soccer scarf ticket packages and single match tickets are on sale now at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800 WVU GAME. The scarf ticket package includes a scarf and 10 tickets to be used at any men's or women's soccer match during the 2018 regular season. Packages are just $30 and are available while supplies last. Single match tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more when purchased in advance at WVUGAME.com. At the Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until kickoff of the match. Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Team Stats
WVU
AKR
Goals
2
1
Shots
15
9
Shots on Goal
8
4
Saves
3
6
Corners
3
9
Fouls
8
15
Scoring Plays
ZAJAC, Marcel (2)
Assisted By: HARTER, Skye , KAHSAY, Ezana
ball played from mid into box back to ce
56:22
Joey Piatczyc (3)
Assisted By: Jorge Quintanilla , Logan Lucas
ball played from middle into center of b
89:47
Joey Piatczyc (4)
Assisted By: Jorge Quintanilla , Steven Tekesky
split defense finds corner
92:27
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
2
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerGK
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